A dual U.S.-German national has been charged with attempting to carry out a firebombing attack on the United States Embassy branch office in Tel Aviv, Israel, according to a criminal complaint unsealed by the Department of Justice on Sunday.
Joseph Neumeyer, a Colorado-born U.S. citizen, was arrested and charged with attempting to destroy by fire or explosive the U.S. diplomatic facility in Tel Aviv.
United States Citizen Arrested for Attempted Firebombing of U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv, Israel
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â U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) May 25, 2025
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If convicted, Neumeyer faces a sentence of five to 20 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000, according to the DOJ.
The FBI alleges that on May 19, Neumeyer approached the embassy carrying a dark-colored backpack, spat at an embassy guard near the employee entrance, and fled after a verbal altercation.
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He left the backpack behind, and upon inspection, security personnel discovered what they identified as at least one Molotov cocktail, according to the complaint.
Following the incident, Israeli law enforcement tracked Neumeyer to a nearby hotel, where he was taken into custody.
FBI officials stated that Neumeyer identified himself and admitted the contents of the bag included Molotov cocktails.
Authorities say that prior to the attack, Neumeyer posted multiple messages on a Facebook account believed to be his, including one that read, âJoin me this afternoon in Tel Avivâwe are burning down the US embassy,â and another stating, âDeath to America, death to Americans, and fâ the west.â Screenshots of the posts were included in the FBIâs complaint.
The complaint also details multiple threats allegedly made by Neumeyer in March against President Donald Trump and Department of Government Efficiency leader Elon Musk.
The threats were reportedly posted on the same Facebook account.
The FBI stated that Neumeyer left the United States for Canada in February and later traveled to Israel around May 19.
Following his arrest in Israel, he was deported and taken into custody upon arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.
FBI Director Kash Patel issued a statement condemning the attempted attack.
âThe defendant is charged with attempting to firebomb the U.S. Embassy and making threats to President Trump,â Patel said.
âThis despicable and violent behavior will not be tolerated at home or abroad, and the FBI, working with our partners, will bring him to face justice for his dangerous actions.â
U.S. Attorney General Pamela Bondi also commented on the case, stating, âThe Department will not tolerate such violence and will prosecute this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.â
The charges against Neumeyer come just three days after another high-profile case involving violence against U.S. and Israeli diplomatic personnel.
Elias Rodriguez, a Chicago-born socialist activist and graduate of the University of Illinois, was charged on May 22 with the fatal shooting of two Israeli embassy staff members in Washington, D.C.
The victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were reportedly preparing to become engaged in Jerusalem before they were shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum.
Rodriguez allegedly confessed to the crime, telling police, âI did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza, I am unarmed,â before shouting âFree Palestine.â
đš #BREAKING VIDEO: Israeli diplomat shooter screams FREE PALESTINE multiple times while being taken into custody by DC police
Leftists like AOC, Ilhan Omar, and Rashida Tlaib radicalized this demon.
Freaking terrorists. pic.twitter.com/4kUyHV7yyI
â Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) May 22, 2025
The firearm used in the attack was later recovered by police.
Attorney General Bondi condemned the killings as âbrutal, anti-Semitic violenceâ and pledged to pursue the maximum penalty if Rodriguez is convicted.
Both incidents remain under active investigation by federal authorities.
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